The Atlanta Braves reportedly canceled a five-year contract with Jeff Hoffman after he failed a physical, with initial terms estimated at $45–$48 million, according to MLB.com’s Mark Bowman. Baltimore Orioles also had a deal in place with Hoffman but withdrew due to concerns about his right shoulder revealed during a physical. Instead of renegotiating, Hoffman signed a three-year, $33 million contract with the Toronto Blue Jays, which includes $6 million in incentives.
The Braves had planned to use Hoffman as a starter initially, with a transition to a full-time reliever by the end of the deal. Atlanta had seen success with a similar strategy, converting Reynaldo Lopez into a starter after signing him to a three-year, $30 million contract last offseason. However, Hoffman’s history of injuries, including a right shoulder impingement in 2021 and forearm stiffness in 2022 while with the Reds, likely influenced the Braves’ decision.
With the deal falling through, Atlanta is expected to seek another starting pitcher after losing Max Fried to the Yankees and Charlie Morton to free agency. Meanwhile, a return to the Phillies for Hoffman was improbable following their signing of Jordan Romano on a one-year, $8.5 million deal. Hoffman had been Philadelphia’s top reliever over the last two seasons, but his role will now be filled by Romano, Orion Kerkering, and other bullpen additions.
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